Ambiguous Apathy

[David Goodwillie] is venting. In order to care about serious issues, “Sadly, you have to be affected personally,” he explains. This follows talk of recent earthquakes, the war in Afghanistan, genocide in Sudan and how “many Americans not only aren’t talking about these events, they aren’t even paying attention.” The quiet rant against apathy mimics a key theme in his debut novel, American Subversive, which was released this week in hardback by Scribner and has already racked up positive reviews. Using the umbrella plot of a political thriller, Goodwillie examines the selective reality and crafted ennui adopted by city dwelling Gen-Xers. “I was growing more concerned about how terrible news in the world was not affecting people as they went through their days.” This frustration, he says, is a large part of what inspired him to research and write the book.

Goodwillie was born in Paris and grew up in London. He later graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a bachelors degree in history, “Because I didn’t get accepted in to any writing classes,” he says. His first book, the memoir Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, was written inside the notorious walls of the Chelsea Hotel during a two-year sabbatical. At 37 years old, straight and single, he now lives just a few blocks away on 10th Avenue in Chelsea, and will read from the book not too far from home at the casual and comfy 192 Books.

With clear blue eyes and approachable good looks, Goodwillie speaks with confident intimacy—as though he’s sharing his life story over a candle-lit table on a first date. He’s passionate about his characters and, by watching him speak with intelligent insight, I felt I got a captivating peek into the soft charm of his lead character, Aidan, a Manhattan blogger, whom Goodwillie oddly (or not so oddly) resembles in looks and personality.

While Goodwillie astutely pinpoints the problems of his urban culture, he himself appears to be a victim of its effects. When asked what religion he claims for himself, he explains: “Uh, Episcopalian I guess, but, like, not really.”

This hesitant ambiguity shows an uncanny identification with Aidan who, in the story, represents all those who carry the semi-educated-entitled-slacker attitude of his time. Goodwillie is aware of the irony. “I’ve lived my generation’s story,” he admits. Who better to write all about it?

Goodwillie will read from [American Subversive] April 28. [192 Books](http://www.192books.com), 192 10th Ave. (at W. 21st St.), 212-255-4022; 7 p.m., free.